Earlier this month, Alexandria considered an ordinance to increase pay scales for certain positions within the city to attract new recruits. During a second reading Thursday night, the city approved the change.
According to city attorney Michael Duncan, the ordinance does not change anyone’s salary but the ranges of the named position’s wages to make the city more competitive.
The first reading of the ordinance was read at the city’s April 6 regularly scheduled meeting. This effort was brought forth by the city’s personnel committee, which is set up to advise the council on personnel policies and practices. City Administrator David Plummer said the committee met in early February and, at the time, were having issues with new recruits, which started the conversation.
Alexandria Council Member Susan Vanlandingham said she had received positive feedback from residents since the first reading of the ordinance.
“They felt like it’s an investment into the future of Alexandria,” Vanlandingham said. “Basically, an adjustment to ensure the future of Alexandria is competitive not only our administrative staff but our police force.”
Plummer said that the new salary assessments are based on information from the Kentucky Area Development District, which did a study on similar positions across all municipal governments in Northern Kentucky.
The job titles in the ordinance that would receive a pay scale change include the following:
- Police chief: the proposed annual salary for the entry-level is changing from $75,000 to $85,000, with a maximum yearly salary changing from $125,000 to $120,000.
- Lieutenant: the proposed annual salary for the entry-level is changing from $65,000 to $70,000, with no change to the maximum yearly salary of $90,000.
- Sergent: the proposed annual salary for the entry-level is changing from $58,000 to $65,000, with a maximum yearly salary changing from $76,000 to $75,000.
- School resource officer: the proposed annual salary for the entry-level is changing from $40,000 to $45,000, with no change to the maximum yearly salary of $65,000.
- Contract officer: the proposed annual salary for the entry-level is changing from $58,000 to $65,000, with a maximum yearly salary changing from $62,000 to $75,000.
- Patrol officer (11-20 years): the proposed annual salary for the entry-level is changing from $56,000 to $60,000, with no change to the maximum yearly salary of $75,000.
- Patrol officer (5-10 years): the proposed annual salary for the entry-level is changing from $51,000 to $55,000, with a maximum yearly salary changing from $65,000 to $70,000.
- Patrol officer (1-4 years): the proposed annual salary for the entry-level is changing from $43,992 to $50,000, with a maximum yearly salary changing from $65,000 to $62,000.
- Police social worker: the proposed annual salary for the entry-level is changing from $40,000 to $50,000, with no change to the maximum yearly salary of $75,000.
- Police recruit: the proposed annual salary for the entry-level is changing from $40,000 to $46,000, with a maximum yearly salary changing from $40,000 to $46,000.
- Police clerk: the proposed annual salary for the entry-level is changing from $26,000 to $32,000, with no change to the maximum yearly salary of $60,000.
- City treasurer: the proposed annual salary for the entry-level is changing from $35,000 to $42,000, with no change to the maximum yearly salary of $80,000.
- Assistant city clerk: the proposed annual salary for the entry-level is changing from $35,000 to $40,000, with a maximum yearly salary changing from $55,000 to $60,000.
- Recreation director: the proposed annual salary for the entry-level is changing from $25,000 to $40,000, with a maximum yearly salary changing from $70,000 to $75,000.
